Can Scott McLaughlin leave Volvo on a high after Sydney 500?

Supercars leader Shane van Gisbergen provides a glimpse into life behind the wheel2:14

Supercars Championship leader Shane van Gisbergen has provided a glimpse into life as a professional V8 driver. Van Gisbergen put his Red Bull Racing car through its paces in a hot lap with Gold Coast Bulletin journalist Tom Boswell in the passenger seat at the Norwell Motorplex.

November 17th 2016

10 months ago

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Scott McLaughlin still has a chance to snatch third spot in the championship in his last season driving for Volvo.Source:Getty Images

SCOTT McLaughlin will be out to thwart a Triple Eight trifecta in the Supercars championship at the season-ending Sydney 500 this weekend — his farewell drive for the Volvo team.

In his final race for the Garry Rogers Motorsport outfit before heading to DJR Team Penske, New Zealander McLaughlin, 23, is fighting to steal third spot in the championship from Craig Lowndes.

“I’ve been really happy with the consistency that we’ve had,’’ he said. “We’ve had a few little problems ... we had that drama at Bathurst and little niggling problems that probably hurt us in the championship.

“But Triple Eight have been the class act of the last few years ... so for us to be challenging to possibly finish third in the championship and just behind the Red Bull car, I think it’s a pretty outstanding year.’’

McLaughlin backed his compatriot Van Gisbergen to hold off Whincup and clinch the championship.

“I think it’s going to have to be a monumental choke for Shane to lose it,’’ McLaughlin said. “He has been a class act and realistically there are a few things that have gone wrong for him this year.’’